ChaserJ

Player’s have a relatively short earning capacity to the rest of us working folk as well. If they are lucky enough to have a 10 year career (average AFL career is 5 years) they will earn something like 90% of their lifetime earnings between the ages of 18-30. The average person will earn the bulk of their lifetime earnings between 30 and 55, so it’s hard to decry a player too much for wanting to put themselves in the best possible position to set themselves up. That said, I’m more sympathetic toward Frawley and Sylvia’s situations, as they have spent enough time at Melbourne to either qualify or approach qualification for free agency. They’ve done the time at Melbourne with varying degrees of success, and each have one, maybe two high earning contracts left in them.

It’d have to be a ridiculously good offer. You’d consider anything that came across the table, but tbh our draftees have largely been the best contributors to the team so far this year. We need to invest in youth and get it right this time, especially given the strength at the top end of this draft and the possibility that we may lose some talent on our list at year’s end. We should follow last year’s (drafting)model and draft the best kids with the first 2, maybe three picks, and look at mature agers who can come in straight away and contribute with the lower picks. Ben Duscher is one who needs an opportunity at AFL level, Brendan Lee is another I liked at the Bombers last year who is doing well out West this year. If there were some way to obtain Prestia without losing a first rounder, that would be wonderful, I also think that Matt Thomas from Port might be a handy free agent option who could contribute straight away.

I think we have to draft the best available and assess whether that’s Boyd, Aish or whoever else elevates themselves at the champs. Whilst we currently have Clark and Dawes at the club, and Hogan to come, there’s always the potential for one or multiple of those players to be hit with injury (I’m hoping Clarks luck and/or durability improves, but you never know…). If we get to a situation where all are available, we always have the option of playing Clark in the ruck or even Hogan down back, which he’s done for both WA in the champs and his Colts team. KP players worthy of top 3 selection are rare, so if Boyd turns out to be the best available, then so be it. It’s a strong draft for midfielders and we will find a good one with a second round draft pick if we need to. Boyd looked special last year (liked him more than Hogan at the time), and I’m hearing he’s stepped up from that level. I’d be staggered if GWS didn’t take him if they have pick one, but there’s still a long way to go). Having seen Aish both live and on screen, I would say don’t be fooled by his physique. Yes, he’s predominately outside at the moment, but he can win his own ball and competes hard. Put’s his head over the ball and played a full season for Norwood seniors in the SANFL, including 30 odd touches in the GF (Terlich pipped him for BOG). He has rare composure and decision making ability(we sorely need composed decision makers in our midfield) and he backs himself to take the extra time to create the best option. One of those players that seems to make time slow down while he assesses his options. Good overhead to boot. No question he would make our midfield better immediately. Others I like at the top end are the SA boys Scharenburg and Dunstan. Scharenberg is a tall flanker who can play KP at both ends of the ground. In last years Champs game against Vic Country, Tim Membrey started in dominant fashion before Scharenberg was moved onto him. I’d say they broke even, but he took some very good marks in defence. Reads the play well, strong mark, competitive and decision making seems sound. He has midfield potential, and if he succeeds there this year, I think he’ll elevate into top 3 pick contention. He and Toumpas linked up both well and often for South Australia last year, would be nice to see if they could replicate that at AFL level. Dunstan’s a bigger bodied inside midfielder who’s rated extremely highly (he’s the Jobe Watson type out of this draft). From what I’ve seen, another good decision maker that reads the ball well off the ruckman’s hand. One of those that racks up touches without really being noticed because he’s getting that quick first possession handball out of congestion or quick kick out of the pack. In space he has reasonable pace (not express) good vision and a thumping left foot. Can get forward and kick goals as well. Billings is the other one who can push into the top 5 IF he spends more time in midfield and does it well. Impressed every time I saw him last year with his games sense, overhead marking and finishing ability. Light framed, slightly shorter than Aish, so I really want to see how he goes in midfield before I rate him at the Aish/Dunstan level. I also loved what I saw of Lewis Taylor last year, but unless he either goes extremely well, or everyone gets put off by his height or some other flaw, he won’t be in the frame for our selections. At this stage Boyd and Aish are a level above, but I think any of Dunstan, Billings and Scharenberg can push into that level. Really keen to see what Lennon and Bontempelli do this year as well.

As much as I hated (and still hate) the Scully sideshow, I knew we made out like bandits when the compensation was confirmed. Thank you GWS for your great big wad of cash. Where the potential situation with Watts differs is that I can’t see how Melbourne can mount a case to receive anything close to fair (or favourable) in trade for Watts given his lack of proven performance. I would suggest he is nowhere near his peak value. I expect other clubs to know this and they will offer low. I’d be very surprised if we’d be able to even pry Mitch Robinson from Carlton for Watts. Never mind the humiliation of losing two number one draft picks to add to our failure with Morton in the preceding draft. It will be a damning indictment on our club. It seems that we are failing at selling the future to our players. The club needs to make a decision on Neeld fairly soon. I agree with GNF that if Neeld stays, we will lose players that we should be keeping. I honestly find it hard to believe that he is the man for the long haul, and if the club believe that’s the case, he must go sooner, rather than later. If he is not to be there next year, he must be gone prior to the player exchange period. The club must be clear in the direction it’s moving and clear in its vision, because at the moment the rudder’s all over the place and the crew seems ready to jump ship. The wait and see approach will damage our club and set us back further by years.

I felt that the article Implied that GC & GWS approached the club expressing their interest. No doubt chips manager is across all of the possible outcomes.

He might force us to cover his loss. As much as we can't afford to lose him we have to prepare for the possibility that he might. To do otherwise is irresponsible.

Fair point. This is the sort of thing that should be established in negotiating an extension with Frawley. Hopefully we would have some solid answers re: footy department going into this years player exchange period.

I'm not sure the club has the luxury of giving him 2014 to decide if he wants to stay. Surely the financials won't change, and is Chip going to be swayed one way or another based purely on results? How much improvement would change his mind? Should the club be held to any sort of ransom for the benefit of an individual? As a supporter I'm not sure I want to deal with a whole season of 'will he, won't he' and then have him leave for nothing at the end of it all. We have to have learnt from the Scully, Rivers, Moloney situation. We have to establish what Frawley's intentions are. It's commonplace in other major sporting codes to trade/transfer players one year out from expiry if a player won't commit, because the cost to club of letting them leave for free is too great. If we can't get Chip to commit to a deal this year, then we must look at what the best outcome for the club is.

Mainly because he doesn't have complete control over where he goes until next year.

We signed Pederson for 3 years, so we need to find a viable role for him, and this could be it. We also need to see if Davis can play at AFL level as well. Third year on the list, emergency for the last 2 games, surely we will get a look soon?

My understanding is that we can match a rival’s offer next year, but if he really wants to go, he can reject our offer and let his existing contract expire and nominate for national and/or pre season draft. My best case scenario is that Frawley signs an extension this year. I can’t remember the last time the best case scenario panned out for Melbourne (if I’m a sadist I might count not being penalised draft picks for non-tanking or receiving two first round picks for the defection of a former no.1 pick). We need to accept that Frawley leaving is a possibility, even if it’s not a desired outcome, and the club needs to be mature enough to do what’s best for the club. We didn’t do so well with the Moloney situation. I think the club needs to know his intention by the end of this year, regardless of him being contracted next year. If he won’t sign an extension by the end of the year (he’s obviously entitled not to), then work with his manager to explore which clubs he’d be open to move to and look at trade offers. There’ll be plenty of (strong)offers, and Melbourne’s bargaining position will only get weaker if we let it drag on for a year.

The club needs to start with clear values and goals that are strong, consistent and never compromised (integrity) The team needs to have clear expectations and goals that are never compromised. Non negotiables must be commitment, courage and pride. These three things must be the standard, not the exception. If it's good enough for the Swans, why shouldn't it be the expectation at our club? Players should never walk off the park feeling like they didn't give everything they possibly could for the team. Supporters should never,EVER feel embarrassed by their teams effort. Individuals (players) must know what the expectation's of the club and the team are. It must be clear, there can be no ambiguity. This relates to both their role within the team (which must be clearly defined) and their behaviours away from the team. Individual interests will always be placed behind the teams (and above all the club's) best interests.

From a financial point of view, Trotter reported that a financial surplus is a good result considering the challenges faced this year and the increase in football dept spend. As far as next year is concerned, MFC are budgeting conservatively. They joked that they're expecting Neeld to march into the Board meeting and ask for further funding to expand the Darwin experiment further (perhaps a half joke). Apparently the Bentleigh Club is paying off it's mortgage repayments in positive cash flow. The social and moral conflicts associated with profits gained from poker machines were ackowledged, but it was said that fiscal realities nessescitated the use of gaming venues to raise revenue for football clubs. We are also looking at acquiring a third gaming venue in the long term.

NIce work WJ. Also noted that Neeld said that the boys were training faster, and maintaining that speed for longer than this time last year. The mentality of the boys seems more football focused and they're actively looking at ways to improve. Neeld also acknowledged that 14 players was a high turnover (by MFC standards), and that the Sydney loss was a catalyst for change (I believe he was referring to the list and players who could execute the game plan, but could also have intimated a tweak in game style). When asked whether MFC would be targetting any premiership players in the free agency period, Neeld didn't think Tim Harrington and Viney would even have thought about that yet (I don't believe that for a second). Cam Schwab acknowledged Todd Viney as a good breeder, also said that MFC want to be at the forefront of the equalisation debate. No surprise there, we stand to either gain or lose greatly depending on how things fall. Also said that while it's a great achievment to have moved into the mid tier range of teams (in relation to football dept spend), the gap between the top 4 and the rest is growing very quickly. Also mentioned that he believed that Casey is back on track.

Taylor would be a good chance. Would have thought Billings will go in the top 7 as long as he doesn't meet any developmental hurdles. At Taylor's height, you definitely need a few tricks, and luckily he has a couple of good ones.

Agree on both counts. Would be happy to see the club improve to the tune of 8 wins this season, 10+ and I'd be extremely happy.

Billings similar to Scully in build, but is much stronger overhead and has an elite kick (kicking skills have been compared to Dal Santo). He also looked very good in the Championships as a bottom ager. He is slight of build at this stage and whether his draft value rises or falls will depend on how he goes in the midfield. Great skills and very highly rated at this stage. Taylor was extremely impressive in that game against SA. Bounced around and just made things happen with and without the ball and would have been close to BOG. Is small, but I can see him sparking teams with his energy. Look forward to seeing how he goes this year. Would be stoked to have either on board next year.

Exceptional youngsters from what projects to be a strong draft. From an AFL.com.au artice on 2013 prospects: Jack Billings Oakleigh Chargers 180cm/73kg Half-forward If he continues his rate of development it wouldn't be a surprise to see Billings placed well within the top five picks next year. He's a sharp half-forward with elite kicking skills and a strong overhead mark. Billings reads the game better than most and he loves the big stage, playing his best footy when it counts. Might play a bit more through the midfield next year but he already has a lot going for him. Lewis Taylor Geelong Falcons 173cm/72kg Midfielder Taylor is a small midfielder who loves to run with the ball tucked under one arm and take the game on. He might be small but Taylor is solidly built and isn't afraid to go and get the ball himself. He has some pace, and some skills to match. Taylor saved his best game of the championships against South Australia, where he gathered 21 disposals and kicked two goals in Vic Country's loss.

Garlett was quite a good player for the Swan Districts senior team, and if he remains in WA will be a senior player again. Only played Colts after being dropped for (further) disciplinary reasons (reportedly around missing training). His talent is not in question. I believe Todd Viney was present for his best game for the senior team last year. Best thing for him would be to leave WA and play senior state league footy in either VFL or SANFL. Read that he's considering moving to Victoria to play VFL. If he does, I think all clubs will be watching his progress. I hope he matures and can turn it around.

Interesting development. Gregg Popopvich rested his starting line up for a game against the Heat. Case could be made for managing a couple of the older bodies, but David Stern has just fined the Spurs $250 000 for "resting players in a manner contrary to the best interests of the NBA". http://nba.si.com/2012/11/30/gregg-popovich-david-stern-spurs-fined-nba/?sct=hp_t2_a2&eref=sihp http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/michael_rosenberg/11/29/spurs-gregg-popovich-right-resting-starters/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a3&eref=sihp Think it's the first time I've seen an professional sports club penalised for this, and I wonder if it will be looked at in the context of the tanking conversation? For the record, the Heat beat the Spurs 105 - 100.

Anderson said his sources cited O'Rourke's playing style as a better fit for GWS' list. Also an odd preference for Victorian's.

There's a more detailed context surrounding this statement from Rendell (about AFC coaches and Patty Dangerfield), but I find this point most interesting. "Coaches' influence in drafting has set back many clubs. Unfortunately many think they are geniuses at drafting and will try and influence a recruiter, but I've yet to see a coach who was a good judge at talent ID".

I'm going to paraphrase Rendell from a great article he wrote for Inside Football. He quoted another recruiter who said "Every player we select is capable of playing AFL'. Rendell went on to say he agreed with that statement, "but the reasons some don't are many and varied, maturity being the main one and too-hasty decisions on teenagers by list managers being a second".

We got one pick right. Grimes was one we did consider at 4, so thank god he was there at 14. The others we looked at for pick 4 were Jarrad Grant and Rhys Palmer. The two out and out guns that were around after pick 4 weren't even on our radar at that pick, and in hindsight 2007 has been fairly light on in terms of high end talent (no doubt about Cotchin, Dangerfield and Rioli). I don't think anyone had Dangerfield or Rioli as being ranked in the top 5, and even Adelaide were seen to have reached for him (great work Matty Rendell). We were considering him for pick 14. It's one thing to slam the recruiters, but you do also have to take into account the quality of the draft pool. It really is a tough business to make a call on a career when there really is such little exposed form (relatively) on and off field. Who knows what Dayle Garletts going to be in 10 years time, but a lot of recruiters have made some calls on him already. Time will tell, unfortunately for us, it's been a harsh judge.

Steele had a very solid Championships in 08 and was a likely top 15 pick well before the 10 goal haul. His partner inside 50 Tommy Rockliff was the one who no one wanted to take on. How silly. Wines started his climb up the rankings after some stand out form early in the TAC Cup. Apparently was exceptional as soon as he got back from the Academy tour. Emma Quayle sums him (and most everyone else) well here: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-news/the-pick-of-the-crop-20121117-29jct.html